Rail connector



April 16, 1963 F. HAWKINS RAIL CONNECTOR Filed on. 25, 1959 INVENTOR. 1 FLOYD L. HAWKINS M ,MQW

ATTOR NEYS United States Patent 3,085,783 RAIL CONNECTOR Floyd L. Hawkins, Rte. 1, Box 103, Montevailo, Ala. Filed Oct. 23, 1959, Ser. No. 848,290 9 Claims. (Cl. 25665) This invention relates to a rail connector and more particularly to a device for connecting a rail to a post in a balustrade, staircase or the like.

An object of my invention is to provide a connector of the character designated which may be of a standardized form whereby the connector may be easily and quickly attached to both the rail and the post with a minimum of eifort and without having to disconnect the connector from the rail or post as the angle of inclination of the rail relative to the horizontal is varied.

A further object is to provide a connector of the character designated which eliminates the necessity of having to cut the end of the rail adjacent the post whereby that end of the rail fits the post.

A :further object of my invention is to provide a con nector of the character designated which shall be simple of construction, economical of manufacture and one which is neat in appearance and durable in operation.

Heretofore in the art to which may invention relates, various devices have been devised for attaching a rail to a post. However, so far as I am aware, such devices have been complicated in construction and have required highly skilled labor :to assemble the composite balustrade. To overcome these and other difi'iculties, I provide an improved connector which fits over and is secured to the end of the rail. The connector is provided with -a relatively fiat bendable member which is disposed to lie -along side the post, whereby upon securing the bendable member to the post, the connector rigidly connects the rail to the post.

Apparatus embodying features of my invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, forming a part of this application, in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view, partly broken away and in section, showing the rails attached to a vertical post, the rails being inclined from the horizontal;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along the line 22 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the blank in enlarged scale from which the connector shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 may be formed;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view corresponding generally to FIG. 2 of the drawings and showing a modified form of construction; and,

FIGS. 5, 6 and 7 are sectional views corresponding generally to FIGS. 2 and 4 and showing still further modified forms of my invention.

Referring now to the drawing for a better understanding of my invention, I show a vertical post 10 which is anchored in a suitable supporting material, such as concrete .11. Preferably, the post 10 is square, as viewed in cross section, and may be provided with an ornamental top portion indicated generally at 12. in FIG. 1 of the drawing, I show the rail 13 as being connected to the post 10 at an angle relative to the horizontal, such as occurs where the rails are mounted alongside steps. However, it will be apparent as the description proceeds that the rails 13 could extend in a horizontal direction whereby they extend in a direction substantially normal to the post 10 or could be attached to the post at any selected angle relative thereto.

Patented Apr. 16, 1963 The connector comprises a generally channel-shaped body portion 14 having a web 16 and flanges 17 and 18. The channel-shaped body portion 14 is of a size to fit over or telescope over the end of the rail 13 with a snug fit, as shown in FIG. 2. Formed integrally with the flanges 17 and 18 are inturned locking members 19 and 21, respectively. That is, the locking members 19* and 21 extend inwardly and upwardly to engage the inner surface of the channel-shaped rail 13, whereby the channelshaped body portion 14 is secured to the rail 13.

Formed integrally with the web 16 of the channelhaped body portion 14 is a relatively flat bendable member 22 which is adapted to extend alongside the post 10', as shown in FIG. 1. A longitudinally extending slot 23 is provided in the bendable member 22 for receiving a bolt '24 which passes through a suitable opening in the post 10. By providing the elongated slot 23 in the bendable member 22 which extends in a generally vertical direction, when assembled, a single bolt 24 may attach two oppositely disposed bendable members 22 to the post 10, as shown in FIG. 1. A nut 26 engages the bolt 24 whereby the bendable members 22 are attached to the post 10. To further reinforce the bendable member 22, I provide inwardly extending flanges or flaps 27 and 28 at opposite sides of the bendable member 22 which are folded back onto the member 22.

The point of juncture 29 between the web 16 of the channel-1ike member 14 and the bendable member 22 is inwardly of the adjacent ends of the flanges 17 and 18 whereby the web portion 16 actually forms a portion of the bendable member 22, as clearly shown in FIG. 3. That is, with the connector mounted on the post '10, as shown in FIG. 1, the flanges 17 and 18 project outwardly along opposite sides of the post 10 as at 31. The outwardly projecting portions 31 thus form guide members which extend along opposite sides of the post 10 whereby the bracket is held in proper alignment with the post. The outwardly projecting portions 31 also 'hide the bent portion of the member 22 and prevents there being an unsightly gap adjacent the post 10, thereby providing a connection which is neat in appearance. It will be apparent that where the connector 14 is employed to connect a pair of rails to a corner post, the outwardly projecting portions 31 adjacent the inside of the corner are cut away so that the two rails can be joined to the post 10 at the same elevation.

From the foregoing description, the assembly of my improved connector will be readily understood. channel-like body portion 14 is attached to the end of the rail 13, as shown in FIG. 2, by forcing the channellike body portion 14 over .theend of the rail or by inserting the body portion 14 over the rail and then deforming it to form the inturned locking member 19 and 21. bendable member 22 is then attached to the post 10 by the bolt 24, as shown in FIG. 1. The rail 13 may then be moved to any inclination relative to the horizontal by bending the connector about the point of juncture 29 between the Web 16 and the bendable member 22. As pointed out hereinabove, .the rails 13 may extend in a horizontal direction rather than being at an :angle relative to the post 10 as shown in FIG. 1.

Referring now to FIG. 4 of the drawing, I show a modified form of my invention in which the connector comprises a channel-like body portion 14 having a web portion 16 and depending flanges 17 and 18 The channel-like body portion 14 is also of a size to fit snugly The The

about the channel-shaped rail 13, as shown, whereby the web and flanges of the connector are in contact with the web and flanges, respectively, of the rail 13. Inturned locking members 19 and 21 are provided which abut each other as at 32 adjacent the inner surface of the web 16 That is, by providing abutting edges for the locking members 19 and 21, the locking members are held in firm engagement with the inner surface of the rail 13 whereby the connector is secured to the rail 13.

Referring now to FIG. 5, I show a further modified form of my invention in which the connector comprises a channel-like body portion 14 having a web 16 and depending flanges 17 and 18 The flanges 17 and 18 carry inwardly extending locking members 19 and 21 which overlap each other adjacent the web of the channel 13, as shown, whereby the innermost locking member 21 is held in firm engagement with the inner surface of the web of the rail 13.

In FIG. 6 of the drawing I show a further modified form of my invention in which the connector comprises a channel-like body portion 14 having a Web 16 and depending flanges 17 and 18. The flanges 17 and 18 carry inwardly extending locking members 19 and 21 which engage the inner surface of the rail 13, as shown. The locking members 19 and 21 are forced into firm engagement with the rail by a clip member 33 having pointed end portions which engage the locking members 19 and 21, as shown. Suitable recesses may be provided in the locking members 19 and 21 for receiving the end portions of the clip member 33.

In FIG. 7 I show a still further modified form of my invention in which the connector comprises a channellike body portion 14 having a web 16 and depending flanges 17 and 18. The flanges 17 and 18 carry inwardly extending locking members 19 and 21 which engage the inner surface of the rail 13, as shown. The locking members l and 21 are forced into firm engagement with the rail by a clip member 34 which engages the free ends of the locking members 19 and 21 as shown. That is, the ends of the clip member 34 fit between the ends of the members 19 and 21 and the adjacent inner surface of the web of the rail 13, while the portions of the clip member 34 adjacent the ends thereof bear against the inner surface of the members 19 and 21.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that I have devised an improved connector for attaching a channel-like rail to a post. By providing inturned locking members which firmly engage the inner surface of the channel-like rail, the connector can be attached to the rail with a minimum of time and effort and without having to cut the rail. Also, the connection between the bracket and the rail, as well as the connection between the connector and the post, is neat in appearance and holds the composite balustrade rigidly in assembled position.

While I have shown the channel-like body portion as having a relatively flat top and having relatively flat side flanges, it will be apparent that the top and flanges could be of a rounded shape.

While I have shown my invention in several forms, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that it is not so limited, but is susceptible of various other changes and modifications without departing from the spirit thereof, and I desire, therefore, that only such limitations shall be placed thereupon as are specifically set forth in the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. In a metallic railing structure, a generally vertically extending post, a channel-shaped rail having a web and side flanges with an end thereof disposed closely adjacent said post, a connector to attach said end of the rail to the post, said connector comprising a channel-shaped body portion having a web and side flanges of a size to fit over the end of the rail with the web and flanges of the connector being in contact with the web and flanges of the rail, inwardly locking members carried by the free edges of the flanges of said body portion and disposed to engage in gripping relation the inner surface of the flanges on said rail to secure the body portion to the rail solely by said gripping relation, a relatively flat member bendably connected to the web of said body portion and disposed to contact in face-to-face relation the adjacent vertically extending side of the post, and means to secure the relatively flat member to the post.

2. In a metallic railing structure as defined in claim 1 in which the inturned locking members are inturned flange portions disposed to engage the inner surfaces of the flanges of the channel-shaped rail.

3. In a metallic railing structure as defined in claim 1 in which the inturned locking members are inturned members disposed to engage both the inner surfaces of the flanges and web of the channel shaped rail.

4. In a metallic railing structure as defined in claim 1 in which a clip member is interposed between the free ends of the inturned locking members whereby said locking members are urged into firm engagement with the rail.

5. In a metallic railing structure as defined in claim 3 in which the ends of the inturned members abut each other adjacent the web of the channel-shaped rail, Whereby the inturned members are forced into firm engagement with the channel-shaped rail.

6. In a metallic railing structure as defined in claim 3 in which the end of one inturned member overlaps the end of the other inturned member, whereby the innermost inturned member is forced into firm engagement with the web of the channel-shaped rail.

7. In a metallic railing structure, a generally vertically extending post, a channel-shaped rail having a web and side flanges with an end thereof disposed closely adjacent said post, a connector to attach said end of the rail to the post, said connector comprising a channel-shaped body portion having a web and side flanges of a size to fit over the end of the rail with the web and flanges of the connector being in contact with the web and flanges of the rail, inturned locking members carried by the free edges of the flanges of said body portion and disposed to engage in gripping relation the inner surface of the flanges on said rail to secure said body portion to the rail solely by said gripping relation, a relatively flat member bendably connected to the web of said body portion and disposed to contact in face-to-face relation the adjacent vertically extending side of the post, the point of juncture between the web of the body portion and the relatively flat member being inwardly of the adjacent ends of the flanges of the body portion so that the web of the body portion forms a portion of the flat member and the adjacent end of at least one of the flanges of the body portion projects beyond the point of juncture to lie alongside the post, and means to secure the flat member to the post.

8. In a metallic railing structure, a generally vertically extending post, a channel-shaped rail having a web and side flanges with an end thereof disposed closely adjacent said post, a connector to attach said end of the rail to the post, said connector comprising a channel-shaped body portion having a web and side flanges of a size to fit over the end of the rail with the web and flanges of the connector being in contact with the web and flanges of the rail, inturned locking members carried by the free edges of the flanges of said body portion and disposed to engage in gripping relation the inner surface of the flanges on said rail to secure the body portion to the rail solely by said gripping relation, a relatively flat member bendably connected to the web of said body portion and disposed to contact in face-to-face relation the adjacent vertically extending side of the post, there being an elongated slot in said flat member disposed to extend longitudinally of said post when said flat member is in contact with said post, and a bolt passing through said slot and connected to said post to secure the flat member rigidly to said post.

9. In a metallic nailing structure as defined in claim 7 in which the ends of both flanges of the channel-like member adjacent the bendable member project beyond said point of juncture to lie alongside opposite sides of the post.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Lindenschmidt May 19, 1907 Voity Oct. 22, 1946 Hawkins Aug. 7, 1951 Cremens July 10, 1956 

1. IN A METALLIC RAILING STRUCTURE, A GENERALLY VERTICALLY EXTENDING POST, A CHANNEL-SHAPED RAIL HAVING A WEB AND SIDE FLANGES WITH AN END THEREOF DISPOSED CLOSELY ADJACENT SAID POST, A CONNECTOR TO ATTACH SAID END OF THE RAIL TO THE POST, SAID CONNECTOR COMPRISING A CHANNEL-SHAPED BODY PORTION HAVING A WEB AND SIDE FLANGES OF A SIZE TO FIT OVER THE END OF THE RAIL WITH THE WEB AND FLANGES OF THE CONNECTOR BEING IN CONTACT WITH THE WEB AND FLANGES OF THE RAIL, INWARDLY LOCKING MEMBERS CARRIED BY THE FREE EDGES OF THE FLANGES OF SAID BODY PORTION AND DISPOSED TO ENGAGE IN GRIPPING RELATION THE INNER SURFACE OF THE FLANGES ON SAID RAIL TO SECURE THE BODY PORTION TO THE RAIL SOLELY BY SAID GRIPPING RELATION, A RELATIVELY FLAT MEMBER BENDABLY CONNECTED TO THE WEB OF SAID BODY PORTION AND DISPOSED TO CONTACT IN FACE-TO-FACE RELATION THE ADJACENT VERTICALLY EXTENDING SIDE OF THE POST, AND MEANS TO SECURE THE RELATIVELY FLAT MEMBER TO THE POST. 